Claws And Fangs__K.TH_J.JK

Chapter 12

"No matter what happens, you do not look back. You run, Wolfie. As fast as you can."
Taehyung’s voice trembled, though he tried to mask it behind a firm command. But the fret etched into his face betrayed him.

“Tae… I’m not leaving you,” I whispered, my voice cracking.

He cut me off before I could argue further, pressing a soft kiss to my forehead. My breath hitched. I closed my eyes, letting myself melt into his warmth one last time, my face buried in his chest. The scent of him. The feel of his arms. The way his heart pounded against mine.

“Promise me,” I murmured, lifting my head to look at him. “Promise me you’ll come back. You won’t do anything reckless. Promise you won’t sacrifice yourself.”

“I promise,” he said quickly.

Too quickly.

And yet… his eyes.
They told me something else. They screamed goodbye.

My fists clenched into the fabric of his shirt. “I won’t go. I won’t leave you behind. We’ll go together. Like we always do.”

His arms wrapped tighter around me. “Don’t you want to live with me and Kookie? Peacefully? Without running, without hiding?” His voice was low, a gentle hum against my skin. “We’re so close, love.”

“I do,” I breathed. A sob escaped me, raw and trembling.

“Then be brave for me,” he whispered, his fingers threading through my hair. “Look at me.”

I shook my head, pressing my face further into his chest. “No... if I look at you, I won’t go.”

He gently lifted my chin, his touch featherlight, urging me to meet his eyes. “You’re strong, Wolfie. Stronger than anyone I know. I believe in you. Just a few hours more—and the three of us will be free. Forever.”

Jungkook appeared beside us, his hand slipping into mine. “I’ve led them to the north,” he said breathlessly. “We have twenty to thirty minutes. We need to go. Now.”

Taehyung nodded, his eyes not leaving mine.

“Take care of her, Jungkook,” he said, voice steady. “I’ll meet you both soon.”

I stared at him, memorizing everything—his eyes, the way his hair danced in the wind, the shape of his smile.

“Don’t forget your promise,” I whispered, my heart screaming, my legs barely moving as Jungkook gently pulled me forward.

“I won’t,” Taehyung said softly, watching us walk into the trees. “I love you.”

He mouthed it. And smiled. That beautiful boxy smile.

And just as the corners of my lips twitched in response—I saw him.

The monster. The vampire who had murdered my grandmother.

My blood froze.

And then—

No.
No no no—

The vampire appeared behind Taehyung like a shadow, fast and silent. Before I could even scream, he drove a wooden stake deep into Taehyung’s back—piercing it straight through his heart.

My legs gave out beneath me.

“TAEHYUNG!!”
The scream ripped from my throat, my knees hitting the ground.

Taehyung collapsed. His eyes locked with mine.
A single tear slipped from his lashes.
And then—
He closed his eyes.

“T-Taehyung…” My voice shattered.